Duration

mode.loadCategory not equal to Part Time

Minimum 1.5 Years, up to a maximum of 4 Years

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Special Note: This Masters course has been approved by the Department of Social Services for student income support payments (i.e. Youth Allowance (Student), Austudy, ABSTUDY and the Pensioner Education Supplement).

The Master of Marine and Antarctic Science is a specialised coursework Masters program in the marine sciences which provides students with advanced instruction and training in emerging approaches and technologies. The course is designed to produce expertly trained scientists with international experience and research skills in marine science.

MMarAntSc students will develop an understanding of the roles the marine ecosystem play in the global climate system. The MMarAntSc was developed as part of the International Antarctic Institute (IAI) and the UNESCO/Cousteau Ecotechnie Chair in Antarctic and Southern Ocean Environmental Sciences. The IAI is a multi-disciplinary consortium of international universities. MMarAntSc students are able to cross-credit study programs and may choose to take electives available at one of the twenty partner universities as well as undertake their research project in association with an IAI partner.

Note: Students who commenced this course prior to 2016, should refer to the course schedules relevant to their year of entry.

The course aims to facilitate the development of the following educational objectives:

Develop an understanding of marine science concepts across the breadth of marine science fields of study

Provide an understanding of and practise with the methodology and related scientific techniques used in the study ofmarine environments, including emerging ideas and technologies used in the collection and analysis of data.

Experience in the scientific method as it is practised by professional scientists. These experiences include exposure to the process of scholarly critique, collaboration and practical field operations.

Career outcomes

The course will provide the necessary training to undertake further research or employment in marine science.

Professional Recognition

Course structure

The course is composed of four core units (50%), four elective units (50%) plus a 50% research dissertation.

The elective units are selected from Tables 1, 2 or 3. Units listed in Table 1 do not have pre-requisites and are available to all students, Some units however may have a restriction on numbers and some may be run only if minimum capacity is reached. Students that meet the pre-requisites (mainly Maths and Physics) may also select from the Quantitative Marine Science units listed in Table 2. Students may also take up to four of the elective units at an approved international university offering courses in marine and Antarctic science. Students intending to include units from another universities need prior approval from the Course Co-ordinators.

Schedule

Year 1

Marine and Antarctic Environments

This unit will give students an understanding of the historical, geographical, scientific, political and legal context of the oceans and Antarctica. It includes introductory lectures on the scientific processes at work in the marine and Antarctic environments, applied science, and…

Research Methods in Marine and Antarctic Science

This unit will equip students with skills necessary to join the scientific technical workforce or undertake a research project at the Honours or Masters level. It will include a range of skills including scientific communication (writing, presentation skills), research (project…

Statistical Analysis Using R

This unit is an introduction to quantitative data analysis techniques. Covering topics from basic inference through to generalised linear models, time series analysis and clustering and discrimination, this subject gives students the opportunity to become familiar with a variety of…

Literature Review

This unit is a literature review that supports a student subsequently doing a research project. The student will use the scientific literature to write a review that includes: relevant background on the research topic; good coverage of important literature and…

Advanced Phytoplankton Methods

This unit introduces the latest approaches and innovative technologies used in polar marine phytoplankton. After a review of current methodologies and techniques, the theory and application of Electron Microscopy, Microelectrodes, Fast Repetition Rate Fluorometers, Pulse Amplitude Fluorometers, HPLC pigment analysis,…

Marine Bio-telemetry

This unit covers aspects of acoustic, radio and satellite telemetry along with archival tag technology. Specific examples will be drawn from satellite tracking of marine mammals and birds in the Southern Ocean. Acoustic telemetry will cover specific examples of continental…

Molecular Marine Ecology

This unit explores the suite of molecular tools available to biologists and how they can be applied to questions concerning the biology, ecology, diversity, phylogeography and evolution of marine organisms. Topics covered include theory and practice of key molecular tools…

Southern Ocean Zooplankton Ecology

The unit covers aspects of Antarctic zooplankton including biochemistry, physiology, habitats, spatial/temporal ecology and climate change issues. Practicals will involve laboratory identification and investigation techniques, and current and historical literature investigations of Southern Ocean zooplankton research. There will also be…

Integrated Management and Conservation of Antarctica

This unit will explore the need for, and promotion of, wise, informed and sustainable Antarctic resource utilisation through integration of informed governance and decision making with scientifically based environmental conservation. It will focus on promoting a synergetic and iterative approach…

Birds and Mammals of the Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean encompasses all the waters from Australia to the Antarctic continent, and is home to a diverse range of seabirds and marine mammals. These animals play a significant role in marine ecosystems in southern Australia and the Antarctic.…

Oceanographic Methods

The goal of the unit is to introduce students to research at sea and provide hands-on exposure to standard methods and data in physical, chemical and biological oceanography. Students will have the opportunity to attend two one day fields trips…

Physical Oceanography

The purpose of this unit is to introduce physical oceanographic concepts, including the ocean's circulation and physical structure to students with a broad background in university level physics and mathematics. The unit will cover seawater properties, instruments and observing platforms,…

Marine Biogeochemistry

This unit covers biogeochemical processes that influence the marine carbon cycle, including its role in the control of atmospheric CO2 concentrations and the influence of CO2 emissions in increasing the acidity of the ocean. The course applies chemical approaches to…

Structure and Function of Marine and Antarctic Ecosystems

The unit covers the structure, functioning and dynamics of marine ecosystems through a modelling approach. This knowledge of and approach to studying marine ecosystems is fundamental to informed management of marine natural resources, marine conservation, and assessment of the health,…

Techniques in Remote Sensing

Satellite remote sensing has revolutionised the way that marine scientists can study the ocean and the physical and biological processes that are present. Students will gain knowledge of relevant satellites, sensors and techniques that are useful in marine research.…

Data Analysis Methods

This unit presents a range of advanced statistical and data analysis techniques used in the marine sciences for students with an existing background in quantitative analysis. The course covers concepts of generalised linear models (GLMs), generalised additive models (GAMs), Bayes…

Marine and Antarctic Science Elective 1

This unit is for K4M/S7O students wishing to undertake a marine and Antarctic science unit from an approved international university. Prior approval is required from the Course Co-ordinator and Faculty to enrol in this unit.…

Marine and Antarctic Science Elective 2

This unit is for K4M/S7O students wishing to undertake a marine and Antarctic science unit from an approved international university. Prior approval is required from the Course Co-ordinator and Faculty to enrol in this unit.…

Marine and Antarctic Science Elective 3

This unit is for K4M/S7O students wishing to undertake a marine and Antarctic science unit from an approved international university. Prior approval is required from the Course Co-ordinator and Faculty to enrol in this unit.…

Marine and Antarctic Science Elective 4

This unit is for K4M/S7O students wishing to undertake a marine and Antarctic science unit from an approved international university. Prior approval is required from the Course Co-ordinator and Faculty to enrol in this unit.…

Year 2

Research Dissertation (Part 1 of 2)

Students will undertake an original and unique research project under the supervision of one or more members of academic staff. The scope of this project will be dependent on opportunities and logistic support at the time of offering. The research…

Research Dissertation (Part 2 of 2)

Students will undertake an original and unique research project under the supervision of one or more members of academic staff. The scope of this project will be dependent on opportunities and logistic support at the time of offering. The research…

Antarctic and Southern Ocean Internship

This unit is an internship with an international organisation in Hobart. Participating organisations are currently the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Secretariat of the Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. The candidate…

Successful candidates will be eligible to enter a MSc by research or PhD program.

Fees & scholarships

Domestic students

Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.

Domestic students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place will be charged a fee based on the number of units a student enrols in. In 2019, this fee is $45.45 per unit. In 2019, the maximum charge for full time students is $303.

International students

2019 Total Course Fee (international students): $52,881 AUD*.

Course cost based on a rate of $34,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).